Robbie McKenzie - A Season with the 2s

During this very successful season for the Boroughmuir second XV, full-back Robbie McKenzie has been one of the most regular names on the team sheet. However, Robbie was a late starter on the rugby scene, not taking the game up until he was 17 years old. Add to that the fact that he started his career at local rivals Currie and you begin to wonder how he ever saw the light and made his way to Meggetland.

It was through his father that Robbie made the connection with ’Muir. “My dad played here from the mid 60s to early seventies and was in the last unofficial league winning side, so that's how I became involved with the club. He’s not in any of the photos though because he broke his leg in the final game and was in hospital during the celebrations”.

Now a regular fixture in the seconds, Robbie has enjoyed his most successful season at the club. “I’ve made slow progress whilst I’ve been here. It took me a few years before I got into the seconds set-up but since then I’ve just been growing with confidence all the time. Both last year and this year I’ve had three or four games for the 1st XV as well, so that has really helped. This year has been great for me and the 2nd XV and, although I’d like to play more for the 1sts, I’m happy where I am”. 

As for the success of this season, it did not take Robbie entirely by surprise, “We’ve been getting better and better over the last two to three years and to be honest, I think the second XV could cope with the level of rugby in the Premiership. We obviously wouldn’t do as well as the 1sts have but I don’t think we’d be relegated.”

‘Bert’ as he is known to many, has thoroughly enjoyed the season though, “It’s been really exciting. We lost our first game but after that we’ve won every single one. Although each game is important, there were three away games which spring to mind as the biggest. Beating Watsonians and Hawick away were great results but even they are topped by the win against Heriot’s. We were about thirty points down at half time and we came back to win, playing some of the best rugby I’ve seen at this level in a long time”.

Robbie is a big believer in team spirit and thinks that ’Muir have more than most clubs. “I’ve heard Iain Paxton telling the firsts that the team spirit is worth fifteen points to them. Well I think in the seconds it is worth twenty five. Every time you play, you play for the guys because you know if you make a mistake, you’re letting them down so it really motivates you”.

The coaching staff have been integral in the success of the season and Robbie has as high an opinion of them as anyone does. “They’re all great guys. Arthur Ross may take a lot of stick at the club but every one respects him and will play for him. Jerry and Bruce are club guys through and through and for a lot of the seconds, having them as coaches is particularly special as we have played alongside them so it adds to the respect. All three of them put in a lot of time for Boroughmuir so we feel like we have to put in 100% for them, otherwise we’d be cheating them”. 

As well as the twos, Robbie believes the club as a whole is in a great position. “We’ve worked very hard to be where we are. Relegation was a real threat but we bounced right back and have gone from strength to strength both on and off the field. We have become a very attractive club for players, they want to join us and that has a lot to do with the fact that we are a very socially friendly club, you’ll always be welcomed here. It’s the nature of Scottish rugby that we will lose players but I don’t see that we’ll have a problem replacing them with just as good quality”. 

The future is not so bright however, for Scottish rugby as a whole. “The position the national game is in now is very disappointing. Whilst people are very happy to go on the away trips to watch the national side, because you mainly go for the atmosphere, there is a definite apathy when it comes to going to Murrayfield. In my opinion the pros are being over coached. Any natural talent we have in the side is being coached out of them as the whole game is almost becoming choreographed”. 

Although he started late in rugby terms, Robbie has played with and against some wonderful players in his time. “I think the best player I’ve played with would have to be Calvin Howarth. He has bags and bags of talent and in my opinion is the only person who will qualify soon who poses any threat whatsoever to the current No. 10 jersey. I’d have him playing for Scotland as soon as possible. The best player I’ve played against was in a training match for the Southern District of Brisbane or ‘Souths’ as they’re called. I was playing in the centre for the twos and in the 1sts were Tim Horan and Jason Little. For the entire game I just stood like a turnstile going round and round as they flew past in every direction”. 

During the second’s successful year there have been some memorable moments for Robbie. The 2nd XV fancy dress night was wonderful. Everyone really made an effort and had so much fun. Any bus journey we’ve had has been great but in particular the trips back from Dundee and Hawks stand out. The end of season celebrations are always fun and this year should be no different but the best moment had to be during the Heriot’s match at Goldenacre. Whispers (Euan Matheson) had just scored the final try and Mark Murray turned round and shouted something at Heriot’s which I don’t think is entirely printable. Generally telling them to go away”. 

Throughout this very successful year for the 2nd XV, Robbie’s lively character and on field talents, especially with the boot, have gone a long way to ensuring that success. Whether he moves up to the first team or not, Robbie is happy at the club, enjoying both the rugby and the social events. Characters such as Robbie are in plentiful supply at Boroughmuir and as such, they success of the last few years both on and off the field, should be in no danger of stopping soon.

Robbie was asked to select his 'best' 2nd XV for the season an reluctantly he agreed:

Simon Furnivall